Magnitogorsk tower block explosion kills 38, Chechen terror?

[TonyGosling]

Magnitogorsk explosions likely to indicate wider terrorism threat from small Jihadist cells in major Russian cities
https://www.janes.com/article/85510/magnitogorsk-explosions-likely-to- indicate-wider-terrorism-threat-from-small-jihadist-cells-in-major-rus sian-cities

Alex Kokcharov - Jane's Country Risk Daily Report 03 January 2019

On 31 December 2018, at about 0600 local time, an explosion occurred at an apartment block in Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk region; the explosion and the building's partial collapse killed 38 and injured 19.

The official explanation remains that this was caused by a gas explosion. Separately, on the evening of 1 January 2019, a minibus exploded on a nearby street, killing three men. The authorities claimed this was caused by a natural gas tank malfunction. Video footage was released, purportedly showing the minibus on fire, but probable high-velocity gunfire could also be heard. Local media, including Znak.com and 74.ru, claimed, citing anonymous sources in the law enforcement agencies, that both explosions were terrorism-linked.




Russian investigators DENY tower block collapse was a terror attack as death toll rises to 22
Officials have denied that Russian tower block explosion was a terror attack
Investigators say no trace of explosives was found and blamed a gas leak instead
There is also no link to a minibus explosion the following day, authorities said
22 people have been confirmed dead while 19 are still missing after the blast
By AFP and WILL STEWART IN MOSCOW FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 07:38, 2 January 2019 | UPDATED: 17:00, 2 January 2019

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Russian officials have denied that an explosion in a tower block on New Year's Day was a terror attack.

Investigators at the scene of the blast in the city of Magnitogorsk, located near the border with Kazakhstan, say no traces of explosives have been found and that a gas leak is to blame.

They added that the blast was unconnected with a minibus which exploded the following day due to a leaking fuel tank.

The news came as the death toll from the tower disaster was increased to 22, with 19 people still missing.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6546365/Russian-tower-block-c ollapse-TERROR-ATTACK-officials-fear-three-terrorists-killed.html